Tick control

[gbagua]

Hi,

How often would you spray your clothes (I wear full clothing every time I go hiking, no shorts or t-shirts) to avoid the nasties?

One of them managed to get to my neck last year's spring in a hike in the Sunshine Coast area.

I got with me a can of heavy duty Bushman repellent.

Cheers.

[icefest]

Depending on your clothes be careful with DEET, it can weaken some plastics.
There was a thread recently about treating clothing with permethrin, which is somewhat less aggressive.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bushwalk.com+perme ... at+clothes

[gbagua]

Thanks. Chemspray will do.

[gbagua]

How about using Aerogard tropical strength? It doesn't have DEET as active ingredient.
Has anyone tested it on their clothing?

Cheers.

[Lindsay]

A liberal smear of Bushmans and a nightly tick check.

[McWade]

Both Aerogaurd Tropical Strength and Bushman's use DEET

[gbagua]

Yes, thanks you are right. I now need to purchase something different than Chemspray because it leaves a strong and unpleasant smell on the clothes. I wonder if this product (or a different brand) is available in Australian outdoors stores:

http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Premium-Pe ... B007VCRX2S

More info about DEET being ineffective against ticks:

http://www.lymeneteurope.org/info/deet- ... -repellent

Thanks again!

[McWade]

Aerogard Low Irritant uses Picaridin instead of DEET which if I remember correctly is not a solvent. I tend to use this (not specifically for ticks but general insect repellent) unless there are lots and lots of insects around in which case I use Bushman's. Seem to have to apply it more regularly than DEET based stuff. Doesn't dissolve plastics.

There is a Kiwi brand that uses Picaridin in a higher concentration and I found it effective when I was there. Don't recall the brand name sorry.

[gbagua]

I don't want DEET to poke any holes in pricey outdoor clothing purchased in Australia; following your advice about picaridin, I just bought in Woolworths this other repellent, which has picaridin as its active ingredient (191g/L).

Note: The claims for repellency of flies, sandflies, ticks and other biting insects is supported by the reference product and the inherited studies.

Time to test it on the field.

[McWade]

This from the "Off" manufacturer's product FAQ:

Q. Can I spray Off! Skintastic Family Care personal insect repellents on clothing?
A. Off! insect repellents will not damage cotton, wool or nylon fabrics. You should avoid spraying Off! Skintastic Family Care insect repellents on acetate, rayon, spandex or other synthetic fabrics.

So still use with caution if you are thinking about applying it to your gear.

I read a while ago about stress tests done on various fabrics that DEET had been applied to. It was a US climbing organisation I think. If I recall correctly, pure DEET itself was did not cause issues with the fabrics tested but in solutions at lower concentrations (the kind of stuff typical off the shelf) did, and it was thought that it was other oil based solvents present in the solution that were weakening the fabrics. Had a quick search and can't find a link but I'm sure you'd be able to dig it up.

I've had success with the insect repellent clothing (several pairs of covertable pants) I've used which has had permeation applied in manufacturing. It doesn't seem to be effective for the length of use claimed - a few washes and the effect is gone. This kinds of garments are probably the go if heading into extremely buggy conditions. Don't know if this can be applied aftermarket and if so if it is as effective.

Hopefully the new repellents that have been in the news lately are safe to use on gear and hit the market in the not too distant future.

[gbagua]

Some of the Off! sprays have what they call DEIT, which is DEET, hence why they recommend not using them on clothing.

I will spray what I got on my clothing and hopefully keeps those "intense" ticks at bay.

[MartyGwynne]

Always a tick check at night and during the day not forgetting once you get up in the morning.
It is always nice to flick them off before they get you.
Tweezers and or good finger nails to get then out and if in doubt a smear of anti septic cream such as 'betadine' to be sure to be sure to be sure.
On a lighter note " you will never catch a fish unless you have had a tick on you"
" it is much more fun to check for ticks with some one else"
"In light of the above - I think I have tick on me ...... Here!!! - No there um ohhhh {sensoring by moderator - off topic!}
Marty
Ps I have never used chemicals to repel ticks just be wary of them if you suspect you are in tick territory.

[ggorgeman]

Silly question but are there certain areas (broadly speaking) of Oz that would be regarded as tick-territory.....or are they pretty much everywhere??

[pgrwrx]

I have heard that two automotive products are good for removing ticks. Aerostart and Nulon "start ya *&%$#!" will do the trick both are heavy on ether and apparently freeze the ticks out including the head. Has anyone tried it?

[KANANGRABOYD]

Read my old posts on this topic.
Permethrin - is the ONLY pesticide that will get rid of them.
I bought some spider and ant poison from local bunnings that was Permethrin and just diluted it as directions.
Sprayed using pressurized bottle onto pants,shoes etc and they were gone.
Do your research on both Ticks and Permethrin and you will soon figure out what to do

[jackhinde]

the mother next door uses frontline for dogs on her son!

i just pull them off my daughter and son, then give them a lolly for being brave. I blame the resident bandicoot in my backyard for our ticks, although there was wombat poo out by the clothesline this morning so he probably brought some in too (hope he doesn't move in, the bandicoot already digs enough holes in the lawn).

[north-north-west]

Always a tick check at night and during the day not forgetting once you get up in the morning.

And double check all your gear after you get back.
Only tick I've ever had jumped me back at here the Hovell, after hitching a ride on my pack and hiding for two days.

[gbagua]

Easy, Natural Tick Repellent That Really Works